Wilsons Sandbox

Posted: **Mon Nov 30, 2009 3:06 pm**

It's a perverse sort of fun. But, one of the things I do when I get a new bike (after a break in period for tires and brake pads) is to deliberately see how hard I have to brake to lock either tire. On a softly sprung forked bike like our KLRs, it's more a test to see how much dive can be induced before things get scary-scary.

But, locking a rear tire on a dusty road to understand what a slide feels like and how to recover is something dual prupose riders do on a regular basis without trying.

I've heard it many times from varied sources: A good way to be a better street rider is to get a dirt bike.

Power slides are fun on a big trailie down a gravel road,too. Not so on a touring rig leaving a toll station with oil on the road. I once had my Honda PC800 crossed up like that on Ga. 400 in Atlanta. It wasn't pretty and I bet I worried a few drivers. But, I made it - barely. It took a pair of channel lock pliers to get the chunk of seat foam out of my *** later. . .

Point is, there's a real need to practice braking harder and harder from time to time. I'm not talking the MSF 15-20mph skid either. HOWL them knobbies! =)

Scaring yourself a little now might take the panic out of a bad situation later.

"Lay 'er down for safety"? That's a myth from the bad old days of hard tires and wimpy brakes.

eddie

Posted: **Mon Nov 30, 2009 7:59 pm**

The pants sold, but I still have the XXL Olympia jacket. I also have an XXL Belstaff Discovery in gold available. Current model Olympia AST Jacket, Hi-Vis yellow, excellent shape and only hand washed (twice) with powdered Ivory soap and line-dried to maintain the waterproof membrane's integrity. It could use a wash again and I'll do that before I ship it, or you can do it if you prefer. Comes with nice zip-in insulated liner that is also a casual jacket in itself. Size XXL $175.00 shipped anywhere in the lower 48. XXL Belstaff Discovery in gold: It has a minor crash damage on the underside of the forearms but the jacket is still very sound and it didn't wear down through the 2nd layer (waterproof layer). This jacket runs a half size smaller than the Olympia. It has a zip-in liner, removable giant rear pocket and a neck gaiter. $115 shipped anywhere in the lower 48. There is no warmer jacket available than the Discovery. However, the Olympia AST is also very warm has superior venting for 80F+ days. I have used both jackets on long expeditions and like 'em both. Thanks for lookin', Mark PS: I can ship via post to Canada for an extra $15 USD

Wilsons Sandbox

riding jackets for sale

locked tires and lowsides.

riding jackets for sale